Methods and systems for routing conductors in electro-mechanical machines

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for routing conductors, such as signal carrying conductors, from within an electro-mechanical machine housing to a location outside the housing is provided. The apparatus includes a base for fitting in a first opening in the housing and securing a lower portion of the apparatus to the housing. The apparatus also includes a channel for carrying the conductors, which may be formed in a shape corresponding to a profile of a portion of the housing. The apparatus includes a fastener, such as a snap-type mechanical fastener, for securing the apparatus to the housing.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to electrical systems and, moreparticularly, to routing conductors in electro-mechanical machines. Inone example, the present invention provides a channel for routingconductors in a electric motor suitable for use in a hybrid vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Electro-mechanical machines are widespread. Rotating electro-mechanicalmachines, such as electrical motors and dynamoelectric machines (forexample, alternators and generators), are particularly prevalent.Rotating electro-mechanical machines usually include a stationarymember, known as a “stator,” about which a rotating member, known as a“rotor,” turns. An example of an electric motor 100 is illustrated inFIG. 1. As depicted in FIG. 1, electric motor 100 may include a housing110, a stator assembly 120, and a rotor assembly 130.

Often, electrical motors include one or more feedback elements forproviding status information associated with motor operation. Forexample, electrical motors may include electromagnetic feedback devices,such as a “resolver,” for providing positional information associatedwith the rotor and stator. As illustrated in FIG. 1, motor 100 includesa resolver 140 located within housing 110. Electrical motors may alsoinclude one or more thermistors for providing temperature information.

Information from feedback devices, such as resolvers and thermistors, isusually in the form of low voltage signals, which are carried byconductors from the feedback devices within the motor housing to variousconverters, processors, and gauges external to the housing. Typically,these conductors are routed along the inside of the motor housing andsecured using an adhesive, such as epoxy. This routing technique,however, has several drawbacks. For example, the technique is usuallyperformed manually and is difficult to implement with consistency in theproduction process. In addition, using epoxy to secure the conductors tothe housing provides the conductors little, if any, protection fromhostile conditions (e.g., high temperatures) within the motor. Moreover,motor housings are typically closely packed with various components andprovide extremely limited space for routing conductors.

SUMMARY

Systems, apparatus, and methods consistent with the present inventionmay obviate one or more of the above and/or other issues and drawbacks.Consistent with an aspect of the invention, a channel may be providedfor routing conductors in an electro-mechanical machine.

Consistent with the present invention, an apparatus for routingconductors from within an electro-mechanical machine housing to alocation outside the electro-mechanical machine housing may be provided.The apparatus may comprise: a base for fitting in a first opening in thehousing; a routing channel for carrying the conductors; and a fastenerfor securing the apparatus to the housing.

Consistent with the present invention, an electro-mechanical system maybe provided. The system may comprise: an electro-mechanical machineincluding a housing, wherein the housing includes a first opening; afeedback device, coupled to the electro-mechanical machine and locatedwithin the housing, providing through at least one conductor statusinformation related to a status of the electro-mechanical machine; anexternal device for receiving from the conductor the status information;and a routing element that attaches to the housing so as to route theconductors from the feedback device within the housing to the externaldevice through the first opening.

Consistent with the present invention, a method of routing conductorsfrom within an electro-mechanical device to an external location may beprovided. The method may comprise: generating a routing element in ashape corresponding to a portion of a housing of the electro-mechanicaldevice; configuring the housing of the electro-mechanical device toaccept the routing element; inserting the conductors through the routingelement such that the conductors enter, from within the housing, abottom portion of the routing element and exit, to the externallocation, a top portion of the routing element; and fastening therouting element to the housing of the electro-mechanical device.

The foregoing background and summary are not intended to becomprehensive, but instead serve to help artisans of ordinary skillunderstand implementations consistent with the present invention as setforth in the appended claims. In addition, the foregoing background andsummary are not intended to provide any independent limitations on theclaimed invention or equivalents thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings show features of implementations consistentwith the present invention and, together with the corresponding writtendescription, help explain principles associated with the invention. Inthe drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary electric motor assembly;

FIG. 2. illustrates an exemplary system, consistent with the presentinvention;

FIGS. 3A-3I collectively illustrate an exemplary conductor routingelement, consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary motorassembly, consistent with the present invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method of attaching aconductor routing element to an electro-mechanical machine, consistentwith the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which,in the absence of a contrary representation, the same numbers indifferent drawings represent similar elements. The implementations setforth in the following description do not represent all implementationsconsistent with the claimed invention. Instead, they are merely someexamples of systems and methods consistent with the invention. Otherimplementations and embodiments may be used and structural andprocedural changes may be made without departing from the scope ofpresent invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary system 200, consistent with the presentinvention. As illustrated in FIG. 2, system 200 may include a conductorrouting element 220, which routes conductors 240 from anelectro-mechanical machine 210 to one or more external devices 230. Thenumber of components in system 200 is not limited to what is shown andother variations in the number of arrangements of components arepossible, consistent with the present invention. Further, depending onthe implementation, elements of system 200 may lack certain illustratedcomponents and/or contain, or be coupled to, additional or varyingcomponents not shown.

System 200 may represent any electro-mechanical system in which anelectro-mechanical machine is used. Non-limiting examples includeautomotive, material handling, marine, power generator, and lawn/gardensystems and subsystems For example, system 200 may include an electricalsystem (for example, a charging system) in a vehicle. System 200 mayinclude various components and accessories (not shown), depending on theapplication. For example, system 200 may include one or more batteries,starters, switches, fuses, lamps, radios, sensors, gauges, etc. System200 may include one or more DC components and/or one or more ACcomponents (single- or poly-phase).

Electro-mechanical machine 210 may include a variety of machines, suchas machines that convert electrical energy into mechanical energy (e.g.,AC and DC motors), machines that convert mechanical energy intoelectrical energy (i.e., dynamoelectric machines), meters, torquers,etc. In one embodiment, electro-mechanical machine 210 may include anelectrical motor (either AC or DC) suitable for providing propulsionpower. Electro-mechanical machine 210 may include or be coupled tovarious components known in the art, such as a housing, statorassemblies, solenoid assemblies, controllers, pulleys, belts, springs,gears, brushes, casings, brackets, valves, seals, pins, sensors,terminals, external fan assemblies, apertures, regulators, rectifiers,conductors, etc. Electro-mechanical machine 210 may also include one ormore resolvers and thermistors that generate low voltage signalsrepresenting positional and temperature information.

In one particular implementation, system 200 may include a hybridvehicle system. As used herein the term “hybrid” refers to the use oftwo or more sources of power. Non-limiting examples of hybrid vehiclesystems include gasoline-electric systems, diesel-electric systems,steam (piston or turbine)—electric systems, and nuclear-electricsystems. In such an implementation, electro-mechanical machine 220 mayinclude an electric motor suitable for use in a hybrid drive system. Inaddition to electro-mechanical machine 210, system 200 may also includean additional power source (not shown), such as an internal combustionengine. Electro-mechanical machine 210 and the additional powersource(s) may operate in a parallel configuration, in which both powersources provide propulsion simultaneously, or a series configuration, inwhich electro-mechanical machine 210 provides propulsion and theadditional power source is used to power electro-mechanical machine 210.Additionally, when implemented in a hybrid vehicle application, system200 may include various hybrid components known in the art, such as abatteries, fuel tanks, control elements, generators, a transmission, adrive train, etc.

Conductor routing element 220 may route conductors 240 from withinelectro-mechanical machine 210 to external devices 230. As used herein,the term “conductor” refers to any medium capable of transportingelectrical energy and/or communications signals, such as an elongatedstrand of drawn metal (i.e., a wire) or fiber optic cable. Non-limitingexamples of conductors include elongated strands (insulated ornon-insulated) of platinum, silver, iron, copper, aluminum, gold, brassalloys, and bronze alloys. In one example, conductors 240 may include aplurality of conductors bundled in an insulated ribbon. Conductors 240may be coupled to various components, such as feedback devices (e.g.,resolvers, thermistors, etc.), within electro-mechanical machine 210.Conductors 240 may be destined to one or more external devices 230,which are discussed below.

Conductor routing element 220 may be constructed from various materials,such as glass-filled nylon, polypthalamade (PPA),acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyacetals, thermoplastic polyimides,polyaryletherketones, liquid crystal polymers, or any other suitablematerial. The particular material may vary depending on the application.The particular material may be chosen based on its flexibility andrigidity. For example, the material may need to withstand given pullforces and allow a full range of clip flexibility. The material may alsobe chosen based on temperature ratings. For example, the material mayneed to withstand temperatures of 150-180 Celsius. In one particularimplementation, conductor routing element 220 may be formed from 13%glass-filled nylon. Other materials may be used and conductor routingelement 220 may even be formed from a plurality of different materials.

Conductor routing element 220 may be formed using various techniquesknown in the art, such as molding, casting, etc. The particular formingtechnique used will depend on the application requirements.

Conductor routing element 220 may route, form, and protect conductors240 originating from within electro-mechanical machine 210 and destinedfor external device 230. Conductor routing element 220 may attach toelectro-mechanical machine 210 by way of electro-mechanical machinehousing 215. Details of an exemplary implementation of conductor routingelement 220, as well as its attachment to electro-mechanical machinehousing 215, are provided below in connection with FIGS. 3A-3C.

Referring again to FIG. 2, external device 230 may include any suitablecombination of hardware, software, or firmware that processes, uses, ordisplays, signals from conductors in electro-mechanical machine 210.External device 230 may accept signals (e.g., low voltage analog signalsgenerated from a resolver) and process those signals to produce, forexample, position, speed, and/or RPM information associated withelectro-mechanical machine 210. In one embodiment, external device 230may include a microcontroller or other suitable processing device.External devices 230 may also include various sensors, gauges, displays,interfaces, etc.

FIGS. 3A-3I collectively illustrate aspects of an exemplaryimplementation of conductor routing element 220, consistent with thepresent invention. The configuration of routing element 220 is notlimited to what is shown, and other variations in the number, shape, andarrangement of components are possible, consistent with the presentinvention. Further, depending on the implementation, routing element 220may lack certain illustrated components and/or contain, or be coupledto, additional or varying components not shown.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, conductor routing element 220 may include abase portion 310, a body portion 320, and a head portion 330. Headportion 330 may further include a fastening portion 335. In oneimplementation, each of portions 310, 320, 330, and 335 may be formedfrom the same material and collectively constitute a single element. Inalternative embodiments, one or more of portions 310, 320, 330, and 335could be formed separately and/or be detachable from other portions.

Referring to FIGS. 3B and 3C, conductor routing element 220 may attachto electro-mechanical machine 210 by way of housing 215. Housing 215 maybe formed from various materials, such as machined brass, bronze,thermoplasts, iron, steel, stainless steel, nickelized brass, andnickelized bronze. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, housing 215 may include anopening for receiving all or part of routing element 220, such as a slot350 with a top portion 352 and a bottom portion 354, and a fasteningopening 360 that may receive fastening portion 335. The particular sizeand shape of slot 350 and fastening opening 360 will vary depending uponthe application and the size and shape of conductor routing element 220.Slot 350 may be appropriately sized and shaped to accommodate bodyportion 320 of routing element 220. In one example, slot 350 may berectangular shaped with a length of 4.50 mm and a width of 10.00 mm.Fastening opening 360 may be appropriately shaped to receive fasteningportion 335 of head portion 330. In one example, fastening opening 360may be circular in shape, with a 3.85 mm diameter. Fastening opening 360could also be rectangular. As illustrated in FIG. 3C, when routingelement 220 is secured to housing 215, base portion 310 rests on bottomportion 354 of slot 350 while fastening portion 335 or head portion 330extends through fastening opening 360.

The shape and arrangement of slot 350 and fastening opening 360 are notlimited to the examples illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 3C. In onealternative embodiment, slot 350 may be substantially smaller than bodyportion 320 of routing element 220 and be sized sufficiently to allowconductors to exit housing 215. In such an embodiment, base portion 310could fit into slot 350 and all or part of body portion 320 could runalong the outside of housing 215. In another alternative embodiment,housing 215 may include one or more additional openings (notillustrated).

Referring again to FIG. 3A, base portion 310 of conductor routingelement 220 may be appropriately shaped and sized to fit over bottomportion 354 of housing 215. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3A, baseportion 310 may be “U” shaped with a 5.0 mm diameter. Base portion 310may be “U” shaped to sit over portion 354 of housing 215 and to securethe lower body of routing element 220 to housing 215. Base portion 310may be formed in various other shapes and sizes depending upon the sizeand shape of the particular housing. Base portion 310 could also beconfigured to include a snap or other appropriate mechanical fastener tosecure routing element 220 to housing 215.

Body portion 320 may be formed so as to carry conductors from withinhousing 215 to a location external to the housing. As illustrated inFIG. 3A, body portion 320 may include an inner face 322, which facesinside housing 215, and an outer face 324, which faces outside housing215. Inner face 322 and outer face 324 may run substantially parallel toeach other and may be joined by a side face 326. An open region or“channel” 328 may exist between faces 322, 324, and 326. In certainembodiments, body portion 320 may include an additional side face (notshown) that runs substantially parallel to side face 326, and channel328 may be completely closed in by the faces. The particular size andshape of inner face 322, outer face 324, and side face 326 (and theoptional additional side face) may depend upon the shape and size ofhousing 215 as well as the number, shape, and size of the conductorsthat require routing. In one example, as depicted in FIGS. 3A-3C, theshape of body portion 320, including channel 328, may correspond to theprofile of housing 215 or a portion thereof. For example, all or part ofbody portion 320 may be shaped to correspond to the profile of slot 350in housing 215. Body portion 320 may include one or more segments thatfollow the contour of housing 215 (e.g., slot 350). The particularnumber of segments as well as the particular size and shape of thesegments may vary depending upon the size and shape of housing 215.

Body portion 320 may carry one or more conductors in channel 328, whichis formed between inner face 322, outer face 324, and side face 326. Inone example, channel 328 may be sized to accommodate a ribbon-typeconductor bundle including seven (7) signal carrying conductors and/orground wires. The particular shape and size of channel 328 (andtherefore inner face 322, outer face 324, side face 326, and anyoptional additional side face) will vary depending on the application.

In one exemplary configuration, as depicted in FIG. 3D, inner face 322may include one or more notches or cut-outs (e.g., 323) to allow wiresdestined for or originating from components within housing 215 (e.g., athermistor) to enter and exit channel 328. For example, cut-out 323 mayaccommodate four (4) signal carrying wires originating from a thermistorwithin housing 215 and destined for one or more temperature sensorslocated outside housing 215. The particular shape and size of cut-out323 may vary depending on the application. Further, cut-out 323 isoptional and may not be included in certain implementations of bodyportion 320.

As mentioned above, inner face 322 and outer face 324 may runsubstantially parallel to each other and may be joined by a side face326. FIG. 3E illustrates an exemplary implementation of side face 326.As illustrated, side face 326 may be substantially solid, with one ormore bosses or stand offs (e.g., 327(1) and 327(2)) for centering and/oraligning routing element 220. If body portion 320 includes an additionalside face, as mentioned above, the additional side face may also besubstantially solid, with one or more bosses or stand offs.

Referring back to FIG. 3A, head portion 330 may include an outputportion 331 that faces outside housing 215 and through which conductorsin channel 328 may exit. In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 3A,output portion 331 may include a top, bottom, and side that form acontinuation of channel 328 through outer portion 331. Head portion 330may also include inner wall 332 that extends upward from inner face 322of body portion 320. Inner wall 332 may be formed in a shape and sizecorresponding to housing 215. Inner wall 332 may rest against housing215 when wire routing element 220 is secured to housing 215.

Consistent with the present invention, head portion 330 may include afastening portion 335 for securing routing element 220 to housing 215.Fastening portion 335 may include any suitable structure or and/ormedium for securing routing element 220 to housing 215. In oneembodiment, fastening portion 335 may include one or more moveableand/or deformable components for mechanically fastening routing element220 to housing 215. Fastening portion 335 may also include unmovableand/or non-deformable components (e.g., a screw or other rigidmechanical fastener) for mechanically fastening routing element tohousing 215.

In alternative embodiments, fastening portion 335 may include or utilizean adhesive to secure routing element 220 to housing 215. In suchalternative embodiments, fastening opening 360 may be unnecessary.Fastening portion 335 may be formed in various shapes and designs,depending on the particular application.

FIG. 3F illustrates one exemplary implementation of fastening portion335, consistent with the present invention. In the illustrated example,fastening portion 335 may be configured as a compressible snap-typefastener. Fastening portion 335 may extend outward from inner wall 332in a direction opposite outer portion 331. Fastening portion 335 mayinsert into fastening opening 360 and prevent pull-through. As depictedin FIG. 3F, fastening portion 335 may include a stem region 341, havinga width (Ws) and a length (Ls), and a head region 342, having a length(Lh) and width that tapers from a first width (Wh1) to a second width(Wh2). Fastening portion 335 may be shaped and sized based upon theshape and size of housing 215. For example, the length of stem region341 (Ls) may be based on the thickness of housing 215 and the width ofstem region 341 (Ws) may correspond to the size of fastening opening 360in housing 215. In one example, the stem region may be 5.10 mm in lengthand 3.80 mm wide.

As illustrated in FIG. 3F, fastening portion 335 may be substantiallymushroom shaped and may include one or more fastening members (e.g., 343and 343′) separated by a continuous space 344. The fastening members(343 and 343′) may be identical or substantially identical to each otherand may join at a base 345 located in stem region 341. The fasteningmembers may also be equidistant from a central axis running throughfastening portion 335. Fastening members 343 and 343′ may be formed in avariety of shapes and sizes. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C,each member (343, 343′) may include a shaft (346, 346′) that extends thedistance of stem region 341 and a lobe (347, 347′) that extends thedistance of head region 342. The lobe (347, 347′) may include ahook-type edge (348, 348′) that extends out from the shaft (346, 346′)in a perpendicular fashion and a tapered tip portion (349, 349′). In oneexample, the hook-type edge (348, 348′) may extend out approximately 1.1mm from the shaft. The tip portion (349, 349′) may be substantiallypointed or flat. The lobe (347, 347′) may be appropriately shaped toallow fastening portion to pass through opening 360 and while preventingpull-through. In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 3F, the lobe may bearrow-shaped or wedge-shaped.

In operation, the tapered tip portions (348, 348′) of the fasteningmembers (343 and 343′) are inserted into fastening opening 360 ofhousing 215. As the fastening members are inserted into opening 360, thefastening members compress to allow head region 342 to pass throughfastening opening 360. Once head region 342 passes through opening 360,the fastening members (343 and 343′) return or “snap” back to theiroriginal position, locking fastening portion 335 to housing 215.

Fastening portion 335 is not limited to the illustrated configuration,and various alternative shapes, sizes, and configurations may be used.For example, fastening portion 335 may include several (e.g., 3 or 4)fastening members. In addition, the shape of the fastening member shafts(e.g., 346, 346′) may be cylindrical, hemispherical, semi-circular,rectangular, etc. Also, the lobes (e.g., 347, 347′) may be arrow-shaped,mushroom-shaped, cone-shaped, pyramid shaped, etc. Further, thefastening members (e.g., 343, 343′) may not be joined at a base andinstead be completely separated by continuous space 344.

As discussed above, the various dimensions of conductor routing element220 may vary depending on the particular application. FIGS. 3G-3Iillustrate exemplary dimensions, in millimeters, of one particularimplementation of conductor routing element 220. The illustrateddimensions are exemplary only, and other dimensions may be used,consistent with the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view 400 of an exemplary motorassembly 410 to which routing element 220 may be attached. Asillustrated, one or more conductors 440 may be routed from withinassembly 410 to one or more external devices (not shown). Conductorrouting element 220 (not illustrated in FIG. 4) may be appropriatelyshaped to follow the contours of assembly 410 and may route conducts440, via channel 328, from within assembly 410 to the externallocations. Routing element 220 may attach to housing 215 by way of itsslot 350 and fastening opening 360 (not illustrated in FIG. 4 but anexample of which is illustrated in FIG. 3B).

For purposes of explanation only, aspects of system 200, includingconductor routing element 220, are described with reference to theelements and components illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. The number, shape andarrangement of components in system 200, including conductor routingelement 220, are not limited to what is shown and other variations inthe number, shape and arrangement of components are possible, consistentwith the present invention. Further, depending on the implementation,system 200 and conductor routing element 220 may lack certainillustrated components and/or contain, or be coupled to, additional orvarying components not shown.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary method 500 of attachingconductor routing element 220 to an electro-mechanical machine,consistent with the present invention.

Method 500 may begin by forming conductor routing element 220 (step510). Forming conductor routing element 220 may include thermoforming,injection molding, pressure forming, forging, casting and/or machining.Routing element 220 may be formed in the configuration described abovein connection with FIGS. 3A-3I. In one example, forming routing element220 may comprise forming routing element 220 in a shape corresponding tothe profile of a portion of housing 215.

Method 500 may also include configuring the electro-mechanical machineto accept routing element 220 (step 520). Configuring theelectro-mechanical machine may include, for example, forming a housing(e.g., 215) of the electro-mechanical machine. Forming the housing mayinclude forging, casting and/or machining the housing to include one ormore openings, such as slot 350 and fastening opening 360, for receivingconductor routing element 220. For clarity of explanation, the followingdiscussion of method 500 refers to housing 215.

After conductor routing element 220 and housing 215 are appropriatelyformed, conductors requiring routing (e.g., 240, 440) may be insertedinto channel 328 of routing element 220 (step 530). This phase mayoptionally include inserting or routing conductors through cut-out 323of routing element 220.

Once the conductors are inserted in channel 328 of routing element 220,base portion 310 may be fitted over bottom portion 354 of housing 215(step 540). Routing element 220 may then pivot on base portion 310 suchthat the tapered tip portions (348, 348′) of the fastening members (343and 343′) are inserted into fastening opening 360 of housing 215 (step550). As the fastening members are inserted into opening 360, thefastening members compress to allow head region 341 to pass throughfastening opening 360. After head region 342 passes through opening 360,the fastening members (343 and 343′) “snap” back to their originalposition, locking fastening portion 335 to housing 215. Once routingelement 220 is fastened to the electro-mechanical machine, theconductors may be routed out of routing element 220 to one or moreexternal locations, such as external devices 230 (560).

FIG. 5 is consistent with an exemplary implementation of the presentinvention. Further, the sequence of events described in connection withFIG. 5 is exemplary and not intended to be limiting. Other steps maytherefore be used, and even with the method depicted in FIG. 5, theparticular order of events may vary without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. For example, the conductors may be inserted inchannel 328 of routing element 220 after base portion 310 is fitted overbottom portion 354 of housing 215 rather than before base portion 310 isfitted. In addition, the electro-mechanical machine may be configured toaccept a routing element first, and then routing element 220 may beformed appropriately to fit the machine. That is, routing element 220could be tailored to the specific shape and size of housing 215, orhousing 215 could be tailored to accommodate routing element 220.

Furthermore, the illustrated steps of FIG. 5 may overlap and/or mayexist in fewer steps. Moreover, certain steps may not be present andadditional steps may be implemented in method 500. The illustrated stepsmay also be modified without departing from the scope of the presentinvention and its embodiments. In addition, method 500 is not inherentlyrelated to any particular apparatus or system and may be implemented inconjunction with any suitable combination of components.

Also, all or part of method 500 may be performed with or withoutoperator intervention. In one example, method 500 may be performedautomatically by one or more automated machines or tools during anassembly process. In other examples, one or more steps of method 500 maybe performed manually.

The foregoing description of possible implementations consistent withthe present invention does not represent a comprehensive list of allsuch implementations or all variations of the implementations described.The description of only some implementations should not be construed asan intent to exclude other implementations. Artisans will understand howto implement the invention in the appended claims in many other ways,using equivalents and alternatives that do not depart from the scope ofthe following claims.

1. An apparatus for routing conductors from within an electro-mechanicalmachine housing to a location outside the electro-mechanical machinehousing, the apparatus comprising: a base portion configured to fit overa bottom portion of an opening in the housing; a body portion includingan inner face, an outer face, and a side face, wherein the inner face,the outer face, and the side face form a channel extending through thebody portion that carries the conductors and corresponds in shape to aprofile of a portion of the housing where the body is mounted; and ahead portion including an output portion through which the channelextends and a fastener that fastens the apparatus to the housing,wherein the fastener includes a fastening member that compresses to fitthrough an opening in the housing and decompresses when inserted throughthe opening to secure the apparatus to the housing.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the inner face is substantially parallel to the outerface and separated from outer face by a distance, and wherein the sideface is substantially perpendicular to the inner face and outer face. 3.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electro-mechanical machineincludes an electrical motor.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theconductors include low-voltage signal carrying conductors coupled to aresolver in the housing of the electro-mechanical machine.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the conductors are coupled to a thermistorwithin the housing of the electro-mechanical machine.
 6. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the apparatus is constructed to withstandtemperatures in the range of 150-180 C.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the apparatus is constructed from 13% glass-filled nylon. 8-24.(canceled)
 25. An electro-mechanical system, comprising: anelectro-mechanical machine including a housing, wherein the housingincludes a first opening; a feedback device, coupled to theelectro-mechanical machine and located within the housing, providingthrough at least one conductor status information related to a status ofthe electro-mechanical machine; an external device for receiving fromthe conductor the status information; and a routing element thatattaches to the housing so as to route the conductors from the feedbackdevice within the housing to the external device through the firstopening.
 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the electro-mechanicalmachine includes an electrical motor for use in a hybrid drive vehicle.27. The system of claim 25, wherein the feedback device includes atleast one of a thermistor and a resolver.
 28. The system of claim 25,wherein the at least one conductor includes a ribbon-type bundle ofconductors.
 29. The system of claim 25, wherein the routing elementcomprises: base means for fitting in the first opening of the housing;channel means for carrying the conductors; and fastening means forsecuring the routing element to the housing.
 30. The system of claim 29,wherein the housing of the electro-mechanical machine includes a secondopening, and wherein the fastening means includes at least one moveablemember for securing the routing element to the housing by way of thesecond opening.
 31. The system of claim 25, wherein the routing elementis formed in a shape corresponding to a profile of a portion of thehousing.
 32. The system of claim 25, wherein the routing element isconstructed to withstand temperatures in the range of 150-180 C.
 33. Thesystem of claim 25, wherein the routing element is constructed from 13%glass-filled nylon.
 34. A method of routing conductors from within anelectro-mechanical device to an external location, the methodcomprising: generating a routing element in a shape corresponding to aportion of a housing of the electro-mechanical device; configuring thehousing of the electro-mechanical device to accept the routing element;inserting the conductors through the routing element such that theconductors enter, from within the housing, a bottom portion of therouting element and exit, to the external location, a top portion of therouting element; and fastening the routing element to the housing of theelectro-mechanical device.
 35. The method of claim 34, whereinconfiguring the housing of the electro-mechanical device comprises:forming the housing of the electro-mechanical device to include at leastone opening through which the conductors can be routed to the externallocation via the routing element.
 36. The method of claim 35, whereinthe configuring comprises forming the housing of the electro-mechanicaldevice to include at least one opening that is used to fasten therouting element to the housing; and wherein the fastening comprisesfastening the routing element to the housing of the electro-mechanicaldevice using the at least one opening.